Start with intent, not just appearance
A reference image can communicate taste, but it rarely explains the product’s job. Define who will use it, what it needs to carry, where it sits in the market and what should feel distinctive before discussing individual details.
This gives the design team a basis for resolving conflicts. A lightweight travel product and a structured work bag may share a silhouette, but they require different materials, reinforcements and construction choices.
Separate fixed decisions from open questions
Mark the requirements that cannot move—dimensions, device size, target price, launch window or branding method. Then identify what the manufacturer can help resolve, such as closure engineering, material alternatives or internal organisation.
A good brief creates room for informed development without leaving commercial constraints ambiguous.
Use the sample as a decision tool
The first sample is not a small production run. It is the moment to test proportion, function, construction and material behaviour together. Consolidated feedback, clear priorities and reference measurements make each revision more useful.